Wednesday, 11th of March, 2026
Today’s Headlines
- Gang links to Cape Town rail security contracts trigger calls for urgent probe
- Sanral moves ahead with multi billion rand Huguenot Tunnel expansion
- More than twenty five thousand electricity faults reported across Cape Town
- Jet departs Cape Town for rare landing on Antarctic ice runway
- Team Silver wins brutal forty eight hour gaming showdown in Cape Town
- Cape Town City Ballet brings Dracula to the Artscape stage
- Western Cape braces for scorching heat as temperatures surge
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Gang Links To Cape Town Rail Project Revealed In R600m Security Contract Allegations
Allegations that companies linked to an accused Cape Town gang boss secured security contracts worth about R600 million on the Central Line reconstruction project have triggered calls for urgent investigation and possible blacklisting.
Cape Town’s rail recovery project has become the centre of a major controversy after investigative journalists uncovered claims that companies linked to an alleged underworld figure were positioned to benefit from security contracts tied to the rebuilding of the city’s Central Line.
Serious questions are being raised about the awarding of security contracts connected to Cape Town’s rail reconstruction programme after allegations surfaced linking companies associated with accused gang boss Ralph Stanfield and his wife Nicole Johnson to the project.
The claims emerged through investigative reporting which alleges that businesses linked to the couple were positioned as security subcontractors during the rebuilding of the Central Line. The rail corridor is one of the most important commuter routes in the Western Cape and forms part of a national effort to restore passenger rail services following years of vandalism and infrastructure collapse.
According to the investigation, the company Mzansi Securifire received approximately R600 million in contracts related to security operations along the reconstruction sites between 2022 and 2024.
The contracts were reportedly introduced during a period when construction sites along the line experienced repeated incidents of intimidation, violence and disruption. Those incidents created pressure for increased security presence around rail infrastructure and contractors.
Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis has called for urgent action in response to the allegations. He has requested that the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa suspend any officials implicated in the matter while a full investigation is conducted.
The mayor has also urged authorities to determine the total amount of public funding that may have flowed to companies connected to organised crime networks.
Further concerns have been raised around the alleged involvement of a serving police official in facilitating meetings between contractors and security companies linked to Stanfield. One meeting reportedly took place at Manenberg police station where discussions were held regarding security arrangements for the project.
Hill-Lewis warned that any infiltration of public infrastructure programmes by criminal networks would represent a serious threat to both public safety and government accountability.
Authorities are now being urged to investigate the decision making process behind the contracts as pressure mounts for transparency in the rebuilding of Cape Town’s rail system.
Source: IOL – Wendy Dondolo
R4.5 Billion Huguenot Tunnel Expansion Planned To Upgrade Major Western Cape Transport Route
SANRAL has confirmed plans for a multibillion rand upgrade to the Huguenot Tunnel that will finally bring its unused second bore into operation and modernise one of the Western Cape’s most important freight corridors.
The Western Cape’s busiest mountain transport route is set for a major transformation as plans move forward to expand the Huguenot Tunnel and convert it into a fully modern twin bore highway facility.
One of the Western Cape’s most critical road links is preparing for a major infrastructure upgrade after the South African National Roads Agency confirmed plans to expand the Huguenot Tunnel on the N1 between Paarl and Worcester.
The project, valued at approximately R4.5 billion, will see the long dormant north bore of the tunnel completed and opened to traffic for the first time since construction began in the 1980s.
When the Huguenot Tunnel originally opened in March 1988, engineers had already excavated a second parallel bore. That tunnel passage was never fitted out for vehicle traffic and has since been used primarily as an emergency escape route.
The new upgrade programme will transform the route into a twin bore tunnel system carrying two lanes of traffic in each direction.
The north bore will receive a full concrete lining, reinforced road surface, modern ventilation systems, lighting and advanced tunnel management technology.
Once the new tunnel passage becomes operational, traffic will temporarily be diverted through it while the existing south bore undergoes a full rehabilitation programme.
The older tunnel infrastructure is approaching the end of its operational life, particularly the electrical and ventilation systems installed during the original construction.
The project also reflects updated international safety standards for high traffic tunnels. European safety guidelines recommend separate tunnel tubes for opposing traffic flows once vehicle volumes exceed 10,000 vehicles per lane per day.
The Huguenot Tunnel currently carries between 13,000 and 14,000 vehicles daily, with traffic volumes rising to approximately 25,000 vehicles during peak holiday periods.
The construction programme is expected to take several years and will include upgrades to surrounding highway infrastructure, including bridge improvements along the route.
Once completed, the project will represent one of the largest road infrastructure upgrades undertaken in the Western Cape in decades.
Source: Cape Business News – Adrian Ephraim
More Than 25,000 Electricity Faults Reported Across Cape Town In January
A city report reveals thousands of electricity faults were recorded across Cape Town in a single month, highlighting ongoing pressure on the metro’s power infrastructure.
Cape Town’s electricity network is facing renewed scrutiny after municipal data revealed tens of thousands of reported power faults across the metro during January.
Cape Town recorded more than 25,000 electricity related faults in January as the city continues working to maintain the reliability of its power infrastructure.
According to the City of Cape Town’s Electricity Generation and Distribution Performance Monitoring Report, a total of 25,917 electricity fault notifications were logged during the month.
The reported issues include faults affecting the electricity network supplying homes and businesses, as well as failures involving public street lighting across the metropolitan area.
City officials reported that 24,697 of the faults were resolved within the reporting period while 5,877 remained outstanding as repair teams continued addressing the backlog.
The municipality monitors the reliability of its electricity system using several industry indicators designed to measure both the frequency and duration of power interruptions experienced by customers.
One of the key metrics is the Average System Interruption Duration Index, which measures how long outages last across the network. The city aims to maintain an annual average below 3 hours.
Another measurement tracks how often interruptions occur for customers across the grid.
Officials say several external factors continue to place pressure on the electricity network, including vandalism and theft of infrastructure as well as the operational strain caused by national load shedding events.
Maintenance work has also temporarily reduced the availability of certain high voltage transformers while upgrades and replacements are carried out.
The report also highlights challenges affecting street lighting infrastructure, where vandalism and safety concerns in some areas have delayed repair work.
City authorities say continued infrastructure investment and maintenance will be essential to maintaining long term electricity reliability across Cape Town.
Source: IOL – Brandon Nel
Cape Town Departure Leads To Rare Boeing 737 Landing In Antarctica
A specialised logistics flight departing Cape Town successfully landed a Boeing 737 on an Antarctic ice runway in a rare civilian aviation operation supporting polar research.
Cape Town once again demonstrated its importance as a global gateway to Antarctica when a commercial jet departed the city before landing on one of the most unusual runways on Earth.
A Boeing 737 MAX 8 recently completed a rare landing on an Antarctic ice runway after departing Cape Town as part of a specialised logistics mission supporting scientific research operations.
The aircraft, operated by European airline Smartwings, conducted the flight to Troll Research Station located in Queen Maud Land.
The journey formed part of a longer international route that began in Oslo before continuing through Prague and Abuja prior to reaching Cape Town.
Cape Town plays a key logistical role in Antarctic research operations due to its geographic position at the southern tip of Africa.
Scientists, research teams and supply missions frequently pass through the city before travelling onward to remote research bases across the Antarctic continent.
Flights to Antarctica require extremely precise planning and favourable weather conditions. Pilots must wait for narrow weather windows where wind speeds, visibility and the stability of the ice runway allow a safe landing.
The ice runway at Troll Research Station is constructed from compacted snow and ice rather than traditional tarmac surfaces.
Smartwings has gradually developed expertise in this specialised field of aviation and the flight marked the airline’s twentieth logistics mission to the continent.
After completing the delivery of researchers and equipment, the aircraft later departed Antarctica with members of a polar expedition before returning to Cape Town.
The operation highlights the strategic role the city continues to play in global polar research logistics.
Source: Cape {town} Etc – Chiraag Davechand
Team Silver Wins 48 Hour Esports Marathon At Cape Town Gaming Event
Cape Town hosted a high intensity esports tournament where Team Silver emerged victorious after a gruelling 48 hour competition at the Bellville Velodrome.
Competitive gaming continues to grow in South Africa after one of the country’s most demanding esports events crowned a new champion in Cape Town.
Team Silver secured victory at the inaugural Red Bull Locked In esports event held at the Bellville Velodrome following an intense 48 hour competition.
The event brought together some of South Africa’s top competitive gamers for a tournament combining traditional esports gameplay with physical challenges and knockout rounds.
The main competition centred around the popular battle royale title Apex Legends, where teams faced off in high speed matches that demanded teamwork, quick reactions and strategic decision making.
The tournament format tested more than gaming ability alone. Competitors also faced endurance challenges designed to push players beyond the screen and simulate real tournament pressure.
Team Silver, captained by Collins “It’z Skarrra” Manyame, maintained consistent performance throughout the marathon competition.
Team member Julio Bianchi described the experience as a rollercoaster of emotions, explaining that preparation alone could not guarantee success once the pressure of competition intensified.
The event attracted strong interest from South Africa’s growing esports community and highlighted Cape Town’s potential as a host city for major digital gaming tournaments.
Competitive gaming has seen significant growth globally and locally in recent years, with esports events drawing increasing audiences both in person and online.
Source: Good Things Guy – Karabo Peter
Cape Town City Ballet Brings Dracula To Artscape Stage In New Gothic Production
Cape Town City Ballet will present a dramatic full length ballet adaptation of Bram Stoker’s Dracula at the Artscape Theatre later this month, bringing one of the company’s most visually striking productions to local audiences.
Cape Town’s performing arts calendar is set to take a darker turn as Cape Town City Ballet prepares to stage a powerful new production of Dracula at the Artscape Theatre.
Cape Town City Ballet will present David Nixon’s full length ballet adaptation of Dracula at the Artscape Theatre from 13 March to 29 March, offering audiences a theatrical interpretation of Bram Stoker’s famous Gothic novel.
The production is widely regarded as one of Nixon’s most celebrated narrative ballets. Originally created in 1999 for BalletMet in the United States, the work has gained international recognition for its cinematic atmosphere, bold stage design and physically demanding choreography.
Set against the haunting story of Count Dracula, the ballet explores themes of power, temptation and the supernatural through expressive movement and dramatic staging.
The Cape Town production will feature music from several acclaimed composers including Alfred Schnittke, Arvo Pärt, Sergei Rachmaninoff and Michael Daugherty. The varied musical score creates an intense and atmospheric backdrop for the unfolding narrative.
David Nixon will personally direct the new production for Cape Town City Ballet and is also responsible for the set, stage and costume design, ensuring the visual world of the ballet reflects his distinctive interpretation.
The performance will run for approximately two hours and thirty minutes including an interval. A PG12 advisory has been recommended due to the dramatic themes of the production.
Tickets range from R299 to R450 and can be booked through the Artscape Dial-a-Seat service.
Artscape has also confirmed that wheelchair seating is available for patrons requiring accessible access to the theatre.
Secure parking for theatre patrons will be available at the Cape Town Civic Centre basement parking area during performance times.
The production forms part of Cape Town’s busy cultural calendar and is expected to attract both ballet enthusiasts and theatre audiences eager to experience a darker, more dramatic interpretation of classical dance.
Source: Artscape – Theatre Release
Financial Markets:
Western Cape Braces For Scorching Heat As Temperatures Surge Across The Region
Hot and dry conditions are expected across the Western Cape tomorrow as clear skies and light winds push temperatures well into the mid and upper thirties in parts of the province.
Residents across the Western Cape can expect a hot summer day tomorrow with clear skies, rising temperatures and a very high ultraviolet index forecast across the region.
Clear skies and hot temperatures are expected across much of the Western Cape tomorrow as a warm weather pattern settles over the region.
In Cape Town, temperatures are forecast to reach a high of 33°C with an overnight low of 24°C. Inland areas are expected to experience even hotter conditions, with Paarl climbing to around 39°C while Stellenbosch is forecast to reach 37°C.
Weather conditions are expected to remain stable throughout the day, with clear skies predicted during the morning, afternoon and evening periods. No rainfall is expected and humidity levels are forecast to remain moderate at around 45 percent.
Light winds from the south south west are expected to blow at approximately 10 km/h, providing only limited relief from the daytime heat.
Along the coastline, ocean swell conditions are expected to measure about 1.7 metres with a wave period of roughly 9 seconds.
Tide times for Cape Town show low tide at 02:49, followed by high tide at 09:15. Another low tide is expected at 16:29 with high tide returning at 23:26.
The sun will rise at 06:43 and set at 19:08, while the ultraviolet index is forecast to reach a very high level of 9, meaning residents spending time outdoors should take precautions against sun exposure.
Source: SAWS – South African Weather Service
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TODAY’S NEWS SOURCES:
Crime Report – IOL – Wendy Dondolo (AmaBhungane investigation)
Provincial Politics – Cape Business News – Adrian Ephraim
City News – IOL – Brandon Nel
Traffic Updates – Cape {town} Etc – Chiraag Davechand / Getaway Magazine
WP Sport – Good Things Guy – Karabo Peter
Local Events – Artscape Theatre Release
Weather Forecast – SAWS – South African Weather Service
MONEY MARKET SOURCES:
Currencies: FNB FX – FirstRand Bank Ltd
Commodities: Goldbroker.com – Gold Broker Ltd
Crypto Market: Binance.com – Binance Holdings Ltd
CTNews will continue to track these stories and bring updates as new information becomes available. For the latest bulletin remember to subscribe to our YouTube channel and visit ctnews.co.za for daily coverage and special features
Chief News Editor: Mark Botes-Lashmar
Written by: CTNews team
Publisher: Cape Town News
Region: Cape Town and Western Cape, South Africa
Contact: editorial@ctnews.co.za
